Japan’s ITOCHU Corporation said Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) has authorised its subsidiary ZETA Bunkering to conduct ammonia bunkering trials in the city-state.
The approval follows MPA’s review of safety studies, risk assessments and operational plans submitted by the company for ammonia marine fuel supply operations.
ITOCHU said the authorisation became effective on May 15 and will remain valid for up to two years under Singapore’s regulatory framework.
The trials are intended to assess the technical readiness, infrastructure and operational procedures required for safe ammonia bunkering operations in Singapore.
The company plans to use the approval to support ammonia bunkering demonstrations scheduled for the final quarter of 2027 in collaboration with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).
Under the project, ammonia fuel is expected to be supplied from what ITOCHU describes as the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunker vessel to ammonia dual-fuel Capesize bulk carriers operating in Singapore.
ITOCHU said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to commercialise ammonia bunkering in Singapore and other major shipping hubs as the industry pursues lower-carbon marine fuels.
